Drive means



R. LAPS LEY DRIVE MEANS Feb. 16, 1954 Filed April 18, 1952 INVEN T012.

ROBERT LAPSLEY Patented Feb. 16, 1954 DRIVE MEANS Robert Lapsley, Buchanan, Mich., assignor to Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 18, 1952, Serial No. 283,059 9 Claims. (Cl. 74 -770) My present invention relates generally to drive means, and, more specifically, is directed to a transmission.

Conventional drive means of the general'character to which my present invention relates comprises a pair of rotatable flywheel casings each of which carries an enclosed magnetic core or field winding. The flywheel'casings are driven conjointly by the crankshaft of a prime mover. Associated with the flywheel casings are annular pole pieces which are each secured to a separate drive shaft or sleeve member. Suitable change speed gear means is provided between the drive shafts and an output shaft. When it is desired to transmit torque between one of the flywheel casings and the adjacent pole piece, the associated magnetic core is electrically energized. Upon energization of the core, an eddy current is set up within the flywheel casing which tends to attract the pole piece for conjoint rotation therewith.

The gear means between the drive shafts and the output shaft is so arranged that forward drive is selectively effected by electrically energizing one of the magnetic cores and reverse drive is efiected by selectively electrically energizing the other of the magnetic cores. The desired speed ratio in either forward or reverse drive is selected by means of a manually shiftable' clutch collar member associated with the change speed gear means. Electrical connection to the rotating magnetic cores is effected by means of brushes and collector rings.

In the combination electrodynamic clutch and transmission unit described above, the amount of current introduced into the desired magnetic core affects control of the magnetic field between the flywheel casing and the adjacent pole piece, thus determining the amount of slippage that will take place between the rotating elements. For the proper operation of the above described assembly, it is necessary to maintain a very small and uniform air gap between the flywheel casings and the associated pole pieces. Since the rotating flywheel casings are quite heavy, in that they carry the magnetic cores, it is quite difficult to maintain the desired clearances in the commercial embodiments of the described drive means.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a transmission unit embodying novel electrodynamic brake means by virtue of which either forward or reverse drive may be selectively effected in any one of a plurality of drive ratios.

It another object of my present invention to provide a transmission unit, as noted, wherein the electrodynamic brake means comprises stationary flywheel casings which carry magnetic cores.

By virtue of the above construction, brushes and collector rings are eliminated. A further feature of my present invention resides in the formation of a stationary housing comprising the flywheel casings into which housing cooling oil may be circulated for cooling the magnetic cores therein.

It is to be further noted that by maintaining the flywheel casings stationary, rotation of the heavy masses of these elements is eliminated thereby simplifying the task of both maintaining alignment between the rotating elements and maintaining the proper air gaps between the flywheel casings and the adjacent pole pieces.

It is a still further object of my present invention to provide step-up gearing between the prime mover and the input shaft of the transmission unit so that the rotating elements run at a higher speed than the prime-mover. In accordance with this object, the torque at the input shaft is less than the torque developed by the prime mover. By reducing the torque, which must be transmitted through the rotating elements of my present invention, both the size and weight of the elements may be reduced thereby producing a unit which is more compact than presently known equivalent combination electrodynamic clutch and transmission units.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using the devices of my present invention, I shall describe in connection with the accompanying drawing, a preferred embodiment of my present invention.

In the drawing:

The single figure is a sectional view of the drive means of my present invention taken substantially along a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the drive means.

Referring now to the drawing, there is indicated at H] the crankshaft of a prime mover, which may, for example, comprise an internal combustion engine. Drivingly connected to the rear end of the engine crankshaft It is a drive gear H which has meshing engagement with a driven gear l2. The gear I2 is secured to a shaft 53 which lies parallel to the engine crankshaft It vertically thereabove. The pitch diameter of the gear [2 is less than the pitch diameter of the gear I l, and, in the preferred embodiment of my present invention, the ratio of the pitch diameters is 1 to 2. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of my present invention, the shaft 13 rotates at twice the speed as the engine crankshaft I0. It is also to be noted that the torque at the shaft I3 is one-half the torque developed by the prime mover. This feature of the present invention is of particular importance and will be describedmore fully hereinafter.

The shaft I3 extends 'rearwardly into "a stationary transmission housing I4 in which are mounted a pair of electrodynamic brake means indicated generally by the reference numerals I5 and I6. The brake means I5 and I6 respectively, comprise casing members I'-*'I and I 3'which are suitably secured to the stationary h'ousing I l. Enclosed within the casings I! and I8 are magnetic cores or field windings Iii-and 2-6,=whieh, through suitable electrical cables, are adapted to be selectively connected with a source of'lectrical energy.

J ournaled on the shaft-I 3; centrallyof -th'e ends thereof, are apair of sleeve'members 36 and 3|. Secured to the sleeve member --30 are a pair-of axially spaced gears 32 and 33 and secured tothe sleeve member 3I are a .pair of axially spaced gears 34 and 35. The end-gears' 32 'and-35 are associated respectivelywithbrake means I 5 and I6 and serve as output gears of planetarygear means to-be described hereinafter. A gear 39, which serves as 'asun gear, is :secured to the shaft I3 intermediate of the gears I2 and :32.

The brake means I5 comprises a rotor or. pole piece 36 having radial end flange portions 31 and 38. The rotor -36 .is of substantially U-shaped configuration in cross sectionand serves as a planet carrier in-a manner to be fully described hereinafter. The radial flange 3'! of-the rotor 36 is journaled on the shaft I3 intermediate of the gears I2 and 36'and the radial flange portion 38 of the rotor 36 is journaled on the sleeve member 30 intermediate of the gears 32 and 33. The rotor-361s, thus, normally freely rotatable relative to the shaft I3 -and the-sleeve member 30.

A plurality of circumferentially: spaced shafts 40 are secured at their ends in the radial flanges 31 and 38 of the rotor 36. Journaled on one set of alternate shafts '40 are planet pinions 4| which have meshing engagement with the aforedescribed sun gear 39. set of alternateshafts Mare. planet pinions 42 which have meshing engagement with the planet pinions II and the outputgear 32. The gears-32 and 39 preferably have the same-pitch diameter and the pinions 4I and-42. preferably have the same pitch diameter.

Now, even thoughthe shaft 3 aisrotated if the magnetic core I3 remains electrically-unenergized, no torque will be transmitted between theshaft I3 and'the sleeve member--3Ilwbecause the pinions M will ride freely aroundthe-sun gear- 39. However, when-the'magnetic core I9'is electrically energized,- and a magnetic field --is established, the rotoror planet carrier 36 will be magnetically attracted to the stationary casing Secured to the shaft I3, ad-J'acent-thereanend J ournaled on the other naled on the shaft I3 rearwardly of the sun gear 5I.

.A plurality of circumferentially spaced shafts 55 are secured at their ends in the radial .flan'ge portions 53 and 54. Journaled on one set of alternateishafts 55 are planet pinions 56 which -liavemeshing-engagement with the output gear 35 securedto thesleeve member 3I. Journaled on the other set of alternate shafts 55 are planet pini'ons 5l which have meshing engagement with the sun gear 5| and thetjplanet pinions 56. The planet :pini'ons .56 and .51 preferably .have N the same pitch diameter andthe gears :51 -.and .35 preferably have the same pitch diameter.

When the magnetic'core20wis electrically energized and the planet carrier .52 is heldagainst rotation, the sleeve. member 3 I will. rotatetatthe same :speedas the shaft I3 but. in .an .opposite direction. When the magnetic .core .20 -..is deenergized, the planet-carrier 52.is: free.to.rotate and, thus, when the shaft I3 is rotated, .the planet pinions-5'! will ride freelyv aroundithesun gear '5 I. Under the .last described condition .of operation, no torque will-.be transmitted between theshaft I3=and the sleeve member-3 I.

The aforedescribed gear .'33,..secured to the sleeve member 33 has constantv meshingengagement with the-gear portion .6I of acompound gear member Gljournaledona countershaft .63. The aforedescribed gear .34, securedtolthesleeve member ..-3 I, has constant meshing engagement with a reverse idler gear "64 journale'dona'lay shaft.65. The reverse idlergear 64' has constant meshing engagement with thegeanportionfifi .of the compoundgear member 62. Mounted vertically below the .shaft' I3 is an'output shaft Bl. Secured to the end ofthe output shaftt'iisa bevelpinion "II which is adapted to'be disposed inmeshing engagement with the bevel ring gear of a differential mechanismassociated with the drive axles of a vehicle. .Non-rotatably mounted onthe outputshaftfil, but axiallymovable therealong, is a compound gear member 68 which comprises gear portions-69 an'dilfl. The gear portion 69 is adapted-to be disposed selectively. in meshing engagement with the a gear ,portion 6 I for effectingone drive ratio. to the output. shaft 61 and-the gear portionlilisaada'ptedtosbe disposed I selectively .-inengagement 1 with athe. agear portion 66 for effecting a second-drive ratio to the output shaft B'I.

The operation-oflthedrive means of. my present invention is .as follows:

When forward drive in low speed isdesired, the compound gear memberJ68-is shiftedhto the right disposing gearl-por-tion Ill in engagement with gear portion vI53 and the magneticIcOre -IQ is electrically energized. Now, assuming that the engine crankshaft. III is revolving,. forward drive in low speed is established between the crankshaft l0 andthe outputsha-ft 6'I,-.through gear I I, gear I2, shaft I3,sun gear-39,..planet pinions 4 I, planet-pinions 42,-output gear. 32,.sleevememberl3ll, gear 33, gear portion-"BI, gear portionGG, and-gean-portion IU. Now, "if forward drive-tin high speed is'desired, the compound. gear memher 68 is shifted to the left disposing the gear portion 69 in meshing engagement with gear portion 6| Drive is now established between the crankshaft l and the output shaft 67 through the gear ll, gear [2, shaft i3, sun gear 39, planet pinions 4|, planet pinions 42, output gear 32, sleeve member 30, gear 33, gear portion 6!, and gear portion 69.

If reverse drive in low speed is desired, the magnetic core [9 is de-energized and the magnetic core 23 is electrically energized. The compound gear member 68 is also shifted to the right. Drive is now established between the crankshaft l0 and the output shaft 6'! through the gear II, gear I2, shaft I3, sun gear 5!, planet pinions 5i, planet pinions 56, output gear 35, sleeve member 3|, gear 34, reverse idler gear 64, gear portion 66, and gear portion In. If reverse drive in high speed is desired, the compound gear member 58 is shifted to the left. Drive is now established between the crankshaft It and the output shaft 61 through the gear H, gear i2, shaft l3, sun gear 5|, planet pinions 51, planet pinions 56, output gear 35, sleeve member 3|, gear 34, reverse idler gear 64, gear portion 66, gear portion 6!, and gear portion 69.

It will thus be observed from the foregoing description that I have provided a combination electrodynamic brake and transmission unit through which either forward or reverse drive may be selectively efiected in either one of two drive ratios. A change from drive in one direction to drive in the other direction may be smoothly effected by varying the amount of current introduced into the magnetic cores which, as will be understood by those skilled in art, determines the amount of slippage occurring between the casings and the rotors.

A fluid pump indicated generally by the reference numeral 16 is driven from the forward end of the shaft [3 and is provided for circulating cooling oil to the clutch means I5 and I6 within the housing I4.

Since, as pointed out above, step-up gearing, comprising the gears I l and I2, is provided between the engine crankshaft It and the shaft E3 of the transmission, the speed of the shaft I3 is greater than the speed of the crankshaft l0 while the torque at the shaft i3 is less than the torque developed by the prime mover driving the crankshaft Ill. A reduction in the torque at the shaft I 3 permits a reduction in the size and weight of the brake means I5 and Hi. It is to be further observed that since the casings I! and I8, which enclose the magnetic cores i9 and 29, are secured to the stationary housing M, the mass of rotating parts is reduced to a minimum, thereby minimizing the difficulties of maintaining the various rotating elements of the drive means of my present invention in precise alignment.

Now, while I have shown and described what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my present invention, it will be understood that various modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my present invention.

I claim:

1. In a torque transmitting device, the combination of a drive shaft, a first sleeve member journaled on'said drive shaft, a second sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft, first planet carrier means arranged concentrically about said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, first planetary gear means between said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, said first planetary gear means including planetary pinion means carried by said first planet carrier'means, first selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said first planet carrier means whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, second planet carrier means arranged concentrically about-said drive shaft and said second sleeve member, second planetary gear means between said drive shaft and said second sleeve member, said second planetary gear means including planet pinions 0311'.

ried by said second planet carrier means, second selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said second planet carrier means whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and said second sleeve member, a driven shaft, selectively operable change speed gear means between said first sleeve member and said driven shaft, and reverse ear means between said second sleeve member and said last-named change speed gear means.

2. In a torque transmitting device, the combination of a drive shaft, a first sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft, a second sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft, first planet carrier means arranged concentrically about said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, a first gear secured to said drive shaft, a second gear secured to said first sleeve member, first planet pinions meshing with said first 7 gear, second planet pinions meshing with said first planet pinions and said second gear, said first and second planet pinions being carried by said first planet carrier means, first selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said first planet carrier means whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, second planet carrier means arranged concentrically about said drive shaft and said sec-ond sleeve member, a third gear secured to said drive shaft, a fourth gear secured to said second sleeve member, third planet pinions meshing with said third gear, fourth planet pinions meshing with said third planet pinions and said fourth gear, said third and fourth planet pinions being carried by said second planet carrier means, second selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said second planet carrier means whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and said second sleeve member, a driven shaft, and selectively operable change speed gear means between said first and second sleeve members and said driven shaft.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said tfirst, second, third and fourth gears have the same pitch diameter and said first, second, third and fourth planet pinions have the same pitch diameter.

4. For use with a prime mover, a torque transmitting device comprising a drive shaft, step-up gearing between the prime mover and said drive shaft whereby the torque at said drive shaft is less than the torque developed by the prime mover, a first sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft, a second sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft, first planet carrier means arranged concentrically about said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, a first gear secured to said drive shaft, a second gear secured to said first sleeve member, first planet pinions meshing with said first gear, second planet pinions meshing with said first planet pinions and said second gear, said first and second planet pinions being carried by said first planet carrier means, first selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said first planet carrier means whereessence 7 by drive iseffectedrbetween drive shat-wand said "first sle'eve 'mem'ber, "second planet qcarrl'er means arranged concentrically about said :drive shaft=and said second sleeve :member, a third gear secured 'to said'drive shaft, -aifourth gear :secured to said secondsleeve member,?third' planet pinions meshing with :said third gear, :fourth planet pinions meshing with said third planet pinions and said .fourth gear, said Ithird :and fourth planet pinions being I carried by said second planet carrier means, *second "selectively operable electrodynamic brak means ifor braking said second planet carrier means whereby "drive is 'efi-ected between said drive shaft andsaids'econd sleeve "member, a driven' 'shaft, 'and selectively operable change speed gear means betweensal'd first and second sleeve members and said-"driven shaft.

-5.-In a torque "transmitting-device, the combination of a drive shaft, a first 'sleeve 'membe'r' journaled on said drive shaft, a second--"sieeve member-journaled on 'said drive shaft, first-planet carrier means arranged concentr'ic'allyabout' said drive shaft and said first-sleeve member, first planetary gear means between said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, said first planetary gear means including planet pinion means car-- ried by said first planet carriermeans, firstselectively operable -electrodynamic brake means for braking said first planet carrier means whereby drive iseffected between said drive shaft and said first sleevemember, second planet carrierm'eans arranged concentrically about said drive "shaft and said second sleeve'member, second planetary gear means between said "drive shaft and said second sleeve member, said second planetary gear means including planet pin-ion'm'eans carried'by said second "planet-carrier means, second'slectively operable electredynamic'brake=means for braking-said-second planet carrier means whereby driveis effected between said drive shaft'and said second sleeve member, a firstgear secured to said first sleeve member, a second gear-secured to said second sleeve member, a countershaft, a first compoun'dgear journaled on said countershaft and having a first gear portion meshing withw'said first gear, said'first compound gear having a 'second gear portion meshing with a reverse idler gear, said reverse idler gear "having meshing engagement with said second gear, an output shaft, and an axially 'shiftable second compound gear nonrotatably mounted on said output shaft .for selective engagement with either gear-portion of said first-compound gear whereby either one of two drive ratios maybe effected to sai'd output shaft the direction of drive being selected'by energizing one of said electrodynamic brake means.

,6. In a torque transmitting device, the combination of a drive shaft, a first sleevemeniber journaled on said drive shaft, ;a second sleevc member journaled on said "drive shaft, first planet carrier. means arrangedaconcentrically aboutzsai'd drive I shaft and .said first sleeve member, 1a first gear se'cured'to said drive shaft, aizsecond gear secured to said first sleeve member, first'planet pinions meshing with said first gear, :second planet pinions meshing with "said first planet pinionsiandrsaid second gear, saidifirst andfsecond planet pinions being carriedbysai'd firstpl'an'et carrier means, ifirst selectively operable -:'electrodynamic .brakemeans if or braking saidfirst'planet carriermeans whereby drive is effectedbetween said drive shaft and-said .rfirst sleeve imember, second planet carrier means arranged concentrically about zsaid 1 drive [shaft and *said :second sleeve member, :azthird gearssecured'rto said :drive shaft, a fourth gear secured to said seconds-leeve member, third ziplanet pinions :meshing .with'i'said third gear, fourth planet pinions meshing with said "third planet pin'ionsand said fourth-gear, said third and ifourth planet pinions beingzcarriediby said second planet rcarrier means, second selectively operable electrodynamic brakeimeans for braking said second planet carrier ."means whereby'drive 'iseffected. between said drive shaft and said second sleeve member, a fifth gear securedto said first sleeve member, a sixthigear secured to said second sleeve member, :a countershaft,-'a first compound gear journaled on'said countershaft and having a first gear portion meshing with said fifth gear, said first compound gear having a second gear p'ortion 'meshing with a'reverse idler gear, said-reverse idler gear-meshing with said sixth gear; anoutputs'haf-t, and an axially movable second compound'gearnonrotatably mounted on said output shaft-for selective engagementwith either of the gear p'ortionso'f said first compound gear whereby either one-of two drive'ratios may-be'effected'to saidpu-tput shaft the direction of drive being selected'byenergizing one of said electrodynamio "brake means.

'7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first, second, third and fourth gears have the same pitch diameter and saidfirst, second, third and fourth planet pinionshave the same pitch "diameter.

8. For use with a'prime mover, a torque transmitting device comprising a 'drive shaft, step-up gearing between the prime mover and'said drive shaft whereby the torque at said drive'shaftis less than the torque developed by the prime mover, a'first sleeve member journaled on'sai'd drive shaft, a second sleevememberjournaledon said drive shaft, first'planet "carrier'means'arranged concentrically 'aboutsaid driveshaft and said first sleeve .member, a first gear :seicure'dto said drive shaft, a second gear secured tosaid first sleeve member, first planet pinionsmeshing withsaid first gear, second planet pinions meshing with said'first planet pinions and said second gear, saidifirst and second planetpinions'be ing carried by said first planet carrier means/first selectively operable electrodynamiobrake means for braking sai'cl'ffirst. planet carrier means whereby driveiis effected between said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, second planet carrier means arranged concentrically about said drive shaft and saidsecond sleeve membeniathirdgear secured'to .saidi driveshaft, a fourth gearsecured to said secondsleeve member, third lanetipinions meshing with said third gear, fourth planet pinions meshing withlsaid third planetminions and said fourth gear, said third and fourth planet pinions being carriedby said secondplanet carrier meanssecond selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking .saidsecond planet carrier means whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and saidsecondsleeve member, a fifth gear securedto said first sleeve member, a sixth gear secured to saidsecond. sleeve said output shaft for selective engagement with eithervoneof saidn-geargportions ofisaid firsts-compound gear member whereby said output shaft may be driven in either one of two speeds the direction of drive being selected by energizing one of said electrodynamic brake means.

9. For use with a prime mover, a torque transmitting device comprising a drive shaft, step-up gearing between the prime mover and said drive shaft whereby the torque at said drive shaft is less than the torque developed by the prime mover, a first sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft intermediate of the ends thereof, a first gear secured to said drive shaft, a second gear secured to said first sleeve member adjacent said first gear, a first planet carrier enclosing said first and second gears and having end radial fiange members one journaled on said drive shaft and one journaled on said first sleeve member, first planet pinions meshing with said first gear, second planet pinions meshing with said second gear, and said first planet pinions, said first and second planet pinions being carried by said first planet carrier, first selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said first planet carrier whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and said first sleeve member, a second sleeve member journaled on said drive shaft intermediate the ends thereof, a third gear secured to said drive shaft, a fourth gear secured to said second sleeve member adjacent said third gear, a second planet carrier enclosing said third and fourth gears and having radial end flange members one journaled on said drive shaft and the other journaled on said second sleeve member, third planet pinions meshing with said third gear, fourth planet pinions meshing with said third planet pinions and said fourth gear, said third andfourth planet pinions being carried by said 10 second planet carrier, second selectively operable electrodynamic brake means for braking said second planet carrier whereby drive is effected between said drive shaft and said second sleeve member, a fifth gear secured to said first sleeve member, a sixth gear secured to said second sleeve vmember, said fifth and sixth gears being arranged intermediate of said first and second planet carriers, a countershaft, a first compound gear journaled on said countershaft and having a first gear portion meshing with said fifth gear, said first compound gear having a second portion meshing with a reverse idler gear, said reverse idler gear meshing with said sixth gear, an output shaft, an axially shiftable second compound gear member nonrotatably mounted on said output shaft, said last-named compound gear member being selectively shiftable into engagement with either gear portion of said first compound gear member whereby either one of two drive ratios may be effected to said output shaft the direction of drive being selected by energizing one of said electrodynamic brake means.

' ROBERT LAPSLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Aug. 20, 1951 

